Azalea plant named &#39;ROBLES&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant named ‘Robles’, characterized by its unique blooming time, dense and globose growth habit, and single, large, attractive purple flowers is disclosed.

GENUS SPECIES

Rhododendron hybrid

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Robles’

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreen Azalea of the genus Rhododendron and a member of the Ericaceae family. This new Azalea variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘Robles’, was discovered by Robert Edward Lee in August, 1998 in Independence, La. ‘Robles’ is characterized by its unique blooming time, dense and globose growth habit, and single, large, attractive purple flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

‘Robles’ originated from a controlled breeding program in Independence, La. and was subsequently tested and evaluated primarily in Independence, La. and Loxley, Ala. The references in this application to these various evaluations will refer primarily to these two locations. The objective of the breeding program was to create new Azalea varieties which have unique blooming periods, bloom colors, bloom forms, bloom sizes, and growth habits. ‘Robles’ originated from a cross made by Mr. Lee in April, 1996 of the cultivar ‘Watchet’ (unpatented) as the female, or seed, parent with the Azalea hybrid ‘Conleb’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581 as the male, or pollen, parent.

Asexual propagation of the new plant by cuttings has been under Mr. Lee's direction and control in Independence, La. and Loxley, Ala. The new plant retains its distinctive characteristics and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction. The plant cannot be reproduced true from seed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices.

1. Unique spring, summer, and fall blooming.

2. A purple flower color Purple-Violet Group 81C with dotting color Purple-Violet Group 80A.

3. Large, single flowers ranging in size from 2¾″ (6.9 cm) to 3¼″ (8.2 cm) in diameter.

4. Easily propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer.

5. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.

6. Dense and globose in nature.

7. Good specimen plant.

8. Desirable in planters.

9. Makes a very good hedge or screen.

10. Very good foundation plant.

11. Does well as an understory plant in a woodland garden.

12. Hardy to Zone 7.

13. Attracts butterflies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new Azalea hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographic prints in which:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a close-up showing flower, foliage, and stem color, as well as flower size and form of the new Azalea hybrid cultivar of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the dense and globose growth habit of a young three gallon plant of the new Azalea hybrid cultivar of the present invention.

The colors shown are as true as is reasonably possible to obtain by conventional photographic procedures. Colors in the photographs may appear different than actual colors due to light reflectance. The colors of the various plant parts are defined with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. Description of colors in ordinary terms are presented where appropriate for clarity in meaning.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of Azalea based on observations made of two year old plants grown in three gallon containers in wholesale commercial production practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscape plantings.

-   Distinctive characteristics:

TABLE 1 ‘Conleb’ R. oldhamii Characteristic ‘Robles’ ‘Watchet’ PP#10,581 ‘Fourth of July’ Height (Mature) 3-4′ 2-3′ 4-5′ 8-10′ (0.9-1.2 m) (0.6-0.9 m) (1.2-1.5 m) (2.4-3 m) Width (Mature) 3-4′ 3-4′ 5-6′ 6-7′ (0.9-1.2 m) (0.9-1.2 m) (1.5-1.8 m) (1.8-2.1 m) Flower 2¾-3¼″ 3½-3¾″ 2½-2¾″ 1¾-2¼″ Diameter (6.9-8.2 cm) (8.9-9.4 cm) (6.3-6.9 cm) (4.4-5.6 cm) Flower Form Single Single Single/semi-double Single Flower Color Purple-Violet Red G.49B Red G. 44A Red G. 39A G. 81C Flowers per 2-3 1-2 2-3 2-4 Terminal Bloom Period April May April Late June > Frost Bloom Period Late July > Frost Late July > Frost Petal/Petaloid 5 5  5-14 5 Number Hardy Zone 7  6 7 7 Stamen Number  8-10 10 0-9  7-10 Stamen Type Non-Petaloid Non-Petaloid Some Petaloid Non-Petaloid

-   The female, or seed parent, of ‘Robles’ is the Azalea ‘Watchet’; a     moderate pink, single, late blooming, low compact grower. ‘Watchet’     is an unpatented Robin Hill Hybrid developed by Robert Gartrell in     Wycoff, N.J. Mr. Gartrell started his hybridization in 1937 to     produce hardy, late blooming azaleas. ‘Watchet’ is the result of a     cross between the Satsuki Hybrid ‘Amagasa’ (unpatented) and the     Robin Hill Hybrid ‘Lady Louise’ (unpatented). The male, or pollen,     parent of ‘Robles’ is the Azalea hybrid ‘Conleb’, U.S. Plant Pat.     No. 10,581, which was the result of Mr. Lee's planned cross     hybridization between the Azalea ‘Watchet’ and Rhododendron oldhamii     ‘Fourth of July’ (unpatented). ‘Robles’ differs from ‘Conleb’     primarily in flower color. Robert Edward Lee's hybridization program     was conducted with emphasis on species that are not commonly found     in the genetic make-up of the present day hybrids. The ‘Fourth of     July’ cultivar which Mr. Lee obtained from Dr. Thornton in 1981 is a     heavy summer and fall blooming plant, not like the Rhododendron     Species Foundation form. The flower buds form on new growth and     start blooming about July 1. Mr. Lee used this cultivar to cross     with existing hybrids which have a tendency to bloom in the fall and     which are also fairly hardy. As expected, the resulting seedlings     are heavy summer and fall bloomers with very impressive spring     blooms also. -   Classification:     -   -   Botanic.—Rhododendron hybrid ‘Robles’.         -   Form.—Dense and rounded.         -   Height.—3′-4′ (0.9-1.2 m).         -   Width.—3′-4′ (0.9-1.2 m).         -   Growth habit.—Dense and globose. Fast growth rate under             normal fertilization and moisture conditions.         -   Growth rate.—In a period of six years from a rooted cutting             the plant reaches a height of 2 feet (0.6 m) and a spread of             2 feet (0.6 m). The growth rate is normally about 6″ (15 cm)             to 8″ (20 cm) per year; the plant reaches a height of 3′ to             4′ (0.9-1.2 m) at maturity while maintaining a dense habit             due to the abundant branch development.         -   Foliage.—Alternate, simple, evergreen, pubescent, elliptic,             and varying in size from 1¼″ to 1⅞″ (3.1-4.7 cm) long and             9/16″ to ¾″ (1.4-1.9 cm) wide. The margins are entire, with             a petiole 3/16″ to ¼″ (0.5-0.6 cm) long. Midveins and             laterals are impressed on the upper leaf surface and             prominent on the underside. The base of the leaf is cuneate             to attenuate and the apex is acute to mucronate. The upper             surface of the immature leaves is dull, pubescent, and is             Yellow-Green Group 144A and the underside is Yellow-Green             Group 146D, pubescent, and matte. The upper surface of the             mature leaves is Yellow-Green Group 147A, glossy and             slightly pubescent and the underside is Yellow-Green Group             146B, matte, and pubescent. The immature petioles, midribs,             and veins are Yellow-Green Group 146C. New growth is             pubescent. These hairs are initially soft and white and             cover both sides of the leaf with a higher concentration on             the petioles and veins. They are slightly curled, flat, and             range in length from 1/64″ to 1/32″ (0.05-0.1 cm). As the             growth matures much of the leaf pubescence is lost; however,             the stems, petioles, and leaf veins retain this pubescence             which becomes more setaceous and darker in color (Brown             Group 200B) through the growing season. The reduction of             pubescence makes the leaf appear darker than Yellow-Green             Group 147A. Initial spring growth occurs in March. After the             initial spring flush there is almost continuous growth until             that fall ending in about late October or early November.             When grown in full sun, the internode length of this plant             is 3/16″ to 9/16″ (0.5-1.4 cm); when grown in light shade             the internode length is ⅜″ to ¾″ (0.9-1.9 cm). As would be             expected a plant grown in shade results in a taller, less             dense plant with larger leaves. The average length of             terminal growth of the initial spring flush is about 4″             (10 cm) for a plant in full sun and about 6″ (15 cm) when             grown in shade. This growth should not be trimmed since it             will produce flowers starting in late July. As the plant             continues to grow through the summer and fall more flower             buds are produced, which mature and bloom until frost. This             remaining growth produces about 4″ to 5″ (10-12.5 cm) of             height. As cool weather approaches, some of the flower buds             become dormant. These buds bloom in April of the next year.         -   Stems.—The young stems are Yellow-Green Group 146C and             densely clothed with spreading white glandular hairs. During             the second growing season they become Greyed-Green Group             197B, glabrous and rugose. The pith is solid and uniform.             Young and older stems are densely branched.         -   Buds.—Tight buds at ½″ (1.3 cm) are ovate and acuminate             Yellow-Green Group 146D with a hairy pubescence Brown Group             200B. The buds are borne in clusters of 2 to 3, and are             sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bracts which are from ¼″             to ½″ (0.6-1.3cm) long, persistent, and Yellow-Green Group             147A. The pedicel is ¼″ to ⅜″ (0.6-0.9 cm) long, pubescent,             and Yellow Green Group 145B. The calyx is 3/16″ to ⅜″             (0.5-0.9 cm) long, Yellow-Green Group 144C, funnel shaped,             persistent, and pubescent. The five imbricated sepals are             lanceolate and joined at the base to form a cup. As the buds             swell the bud sheath matures to a Greyed-Orange Group 165A,             falls off, and reveals the flower color Purple-Violet Group             81C.         -   Flowers.—Perfect, single, Purple-Violet Group 81C (upper             surface and under surface), glabrous, open funnel shaped,             2¾″ to 3¼″ (6.9-8.2 cm) in diameter by 1¾″ to 2¼″             (4.4-5.6 cm) in depth, borne on current season's growth,             non-fragrant; they last on the plant in the garden 5 to 6             days. There are five true petals which are fused at the             base, elliptic, and have wavy margins. These petals are 1¾″             to 2⅜″ (4.4-5.9 cm) long, ⅞″ to 1⅜″ (2.2-3.4 cm) wide, and             have rounded apexes and entire margins. Three out of five             petals are dotted with Purple-Violet Group 80A. There are 8             to 10 non-petaloid stamens which are 1¼″ to 1½″ (3.1-3.8 cm)             long. The filaments are Purple Group 75B, the anthers are             Greyed-Orange Group 167B, and the pollen matures to Yellow             Group 11B. The pistil is single, non-petaloid, 1¼″ to 1⅝″             (3.1-4.1 cm) long and Red-Purple Group 68D. The ovary is             densely glandular-setose and has five locules. The capsule             matures in about 5 months to about ¼″ to ½″ (0.6-1.3 cm)             long; it has a persistent style, is Yellow-Green Group 146B,             and contains from 100 to 400 nonwinged seeds. Normally fruit             set is not heavy. There is a 2 to 3 week flowering period in             April. Flowering resumes in July as the new buds mature and             continues until frost which can be as late as November or             December. Azaleas blooming at this time of year attract             butterflies in profusion.         -   Culture.—Grows well in a wide range of conditions, tolerates             sun to shade. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil that is             rich in organic matter. Responds well to mulching and medium             applications of fertilizer; prefers pH 5.0 to 5.5. Very             little pruning is needed; adaptable to container and above             ground planters; makes a good foundation plant or informal             hedge with excellent foliage and flower contrast. Ideal for             coastal regions and warmer parts of Piedmont. Propagated             with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the             summer.         -   Pests.—Lace wing and spider mites can be a problem.

The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant named ‘Robles’ as illustrated and described herein. 